Sweat managing fistband

ABSTRACT

A tubular absorbent fistband, having a stretchy absorbent cloth which connects to an elastic mesh band body. The absorbent cloth can be repeatedly compressed by closing the hand of the wearer without losing shape, dispensing accumulated moisture wiped off wearer. The band is referred to as a fistband because it is engaged in a fist. The fistband is constructed with a peripheral pocket in which fingertips are received. The mesh body covers the users&#39; knuckles while the absorbent cloth covers the user&#39;s palm. Wiping the absorbent cloth across a sweat laden body part, such as a forehead, will absorb the sweat. Squeezing the absorbent cloth in a fist releases the absorbed sweat.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation in part and claims the benefit ofpriority of U.S. Nonprovisional application Ser. No. 12/931,530 filedFeb. 3, 2011, which is a nonprovisional of and claims the benefit ofpriority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/337,418, filed Feb. 4,2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to sweat absorbent articles, and, moreparticularly, to a cushioned absorbent band with a peripheral pocketthat surrounds a wearer's palm, receives the wearer's fingertips in thepocket and can be swiped across a sweat laden body part such as aforehead to absorb sweat.

BACKGROUND

Athletic stores and sporting good companies commonly supply consumerswith sweat absorption products such as, sweatbands and wristbands. Thesetraditional sweatbands absorb moisture, but can't be dried quickly,often remaining saturated for hours. They do not typically allowmoisture to dispense; they are cumbersome, not attractive, retain heatin warm weather, soak easily (adding weight), leave tan lines, andaren't accurate at wiping. These products are not preferred by runnersbecause of these negative factors. Most runners in humid and rainyclimates have a variety of home-made solutions—towels, hats, sponges,and their own shirts—to remove perspiration.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,366 Inventor Michael J. Pratt Granted Mar. 7, 1989,discloses a towel attached to the back of a wristband, addressing theneed for an accurate wipe as well as a desire to dry off sweat. Thisitem does not deliver, as it is a complicated massive accessory. Thetowel may drape to the side, missing the face all together. The towelmay snag or get caught. The jarring motion of a joggers head leaning towipe while searching for the towel or wristband can also interfere withperformance.

U.S. patent 2008/0168593 Inventor Val Parker Granted Jul. 17, 2008,shows a glove and/or glove insert that absorbs moisture in the hand.This does not provide moisture relief to other parts of the body andgloves typically leave the wearer hotter than desired. Gloves alsolessen the ease of dexterity for hands and fingers. This product isdifficult to put on as well.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,652 Inventor Mark E. Kuwahara Granted Jul. 4, 1989,teaches of a glove that absorbs but traps moisture in the hand andeventually contributes to a very hot, wet hand if worn during exercise.It is bulky and dexterity is lost once again.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,521 Inventor Lee Haney Granted Jan. 13, 1998,reveals a glove that contains absorbent pads for gathering perspirationyet is only effective for minimal perspiration gathering, does notdispose moisture and is difficult to put on as well. This bulky item isnot preferred for endurance sports and is designed more for wristprotection.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,470 Inventor William D McKay Granted Apr. 26, 1994,shows a wristband with optional ice and heat inserts. This devicecontinues the trend of wrist focused sweat wipe relief yet fails againto advance the effort of better sweat management. All of these suffer anumber of disadvantages:

-   -   (a) These items are inaccurate and haphazard in their attempt to        remove perspiration/moisture/debris. In a general way they        accomplish their goal, however they provide only an inferior,        incomplete solution. They are un-attractive for athletes and the        general public.    -   (b) They become increasingly heavy as they accumulate moisture.        This causes a significant disadvantage for highly competitive        athletes where every ounce of weight is critical. Commonly used        sweatbands also absorb moisture that can weigh several ounces,        negatively impacting an athlete attempting to be as light and        quick as possible.    -   (c) They can cause constriction of blood flow. Blood flow        constriction is a major flaw and drawback during a competitive        race. Most would-be wearers simply don't like the lack of blood        flow they feel from wearing wrist or head style sweat absorption        devices or sweatbands.    -   (d) They are cumbersome. Head type sweat absorption systems are        cumbersome, not easy to put on and once in place, the user        simply hopes moisture is found by the headband.    -   (e) They do not deal effectively with removal of dirt or debris.        Sweatbands and wristbands cannot be easily used to remove dirt        or debris which may strike the users face.    -   (f) They are not easily marked. The ability to add embroidery,        iron-on, heat transfers, messages, communication numbers,        identifiers, transmitters, and electronics is limited and is        often awkward in appearance and usage.

Most sweat absorbing solutions have been designed for use on the wristand forehead.

The invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems andsolving one or more of the needs as set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve one or more of the problems set forth above, in an exemplaryimplementation of the invention, a sweatband comprised of a tube shapedband is provided. The band is referred to as a fistband because it isengaged in a fist. The fistband combines a soft absorbent cloth and acomfort mesh band body. The fistband is constructed with a peripheralpocket in which fingertips are received. The mesh body covers the users'knuckles while the absorbent cloth covers the user's palm. Wiping theabsorbent cloth across a sweat laden body part, such as a forehead, willabsorb the sweat. Squeezing the absorbent cloth in a fist releases theabsorbed sweat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of theinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 shows the front view of one embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows the back view.

FIG. 3 shows the band looking through the center.

FIG. 4 shows liquid being dispensed from one embodiment.

FIG. 5 sectional view with sponge exposed.

FIG. 6 view of band looking through center, having protrusion, inaccordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 7 view of band back view with tacky pads attached.

FIG. 8 shows the front view with open pocket in accordance with anotherembodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a similar embodiment wherein the band is smaller to fitaround users' finger(s).

FIG. 10 view of band from the back wherein inner portion of band bodyhas opening pocket for fingertips.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the figures are notintended to be drawn to any particular scale; nor are the figuresintended to illustrate every embodiment of the invention. The inventionis not limited to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures orthe specific components, configurations, shapes, relative sizes,ornamental aspects or proportions as shown in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the onlyforms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. Itis to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions andsequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are alsointended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.

One embodiment of the band is illustrated in FIG. 1 (front view), FIG. 2(back view), and FIG. 3 (side view). The thin band consisting of aflexible sheet of mesh material 10 which can be repeatedly stretched andrelaxed without weakening. A connecting sheet of stretch absorbent terrycloth type material 14 is fastened to the band body. In the preferredembodiment FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the absorbent material 14 has an absorbentfoam insert 16 sewn inside. This preferred embodiment may have two 12color piping strands sewn in the seam of the top and bottom of outerband body.

A user, having accumulated moisture in the absorbent area, may form fistFIG. 4 thus dispensing water.

Additional embodiments are shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. In FIG. 6a securely attached protrusion 18 has various possibilities as it may befilled with liquid, air, or a rubbery gel. FIG. 7 shows pads 20 attachedto inner band body that is protective, sticky, tacky or even slippery.In FIG. 8 the band has a pocket 30 and optional reclosing flap 40 tosecure any number of items that may be placed inside. FIG. 9 shows asmaller version of the embodiment which may be configured to slide onusers thumb and/or fingers. FIG. 10 shows the back of the band body 14with an opening tri-fold pocket 50 which sandwiches the inserted fingertips of the wearer. FIG. 10 may also easily be adapted to place aremovable penalty flag, flexible ice pack, flexible heat pack, leash, orwearers' supplementary items.

From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodimentsof my fistband become evident.

-   -   (a) The motion of wiping sweat from the brow clears the face of        debris, moisture and perspiration in one effort.    -   (b) Accuracy of wiping the necessary area on the wearers' body        is improved.    -   (c) The fistband can quickly and efficiently be put onto the        hand.    -   (d) Wearers will preserve dexterity and have free finger and        hand movement.    -   (e) A much lighter sweatband is found in this embodiment after        exercise since sweat may be expelled by simply forming a fist.    -   (f) Users head will not have to lean awkwardly sideways in        search of moving wristband, the head can stay steady, looking        straight ahead as the hand naturally comes to wipe the brow.    -   (g) Embroidery and Heat transfer for safety or advertising will        gain easier adherence.    -   (h) Reflective materials are readily applied to the band body        enabling higher visibility for wearers.    -   (i) Streamlined aerodynamic band body is always an athletes'        favorite.    -   (j) Wearers that experience a fall will have greater palm        protection as their hands strike the ground.    -   (k) Air flow to allow faster drying is punctuated on this band.    -   (l) The multiple accessories that can be placed inside will        greatly benefit the wearer yet will be a huge revenue source for        licensed manufacturers.

While an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described, itshould be apparent that modifications and variations thereto arepossible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of theinvention. With respect to the above description then, it is to berealized that the optimum relationships for the components and steps ofthe invention, including variations in order, form, content, functionand manner of operation, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to oneskilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention. The abovedescription and drawings are illustrative of modifications that can bemade without departing from the present invention, the scope of which isto be limited only by the following claims. Therefore, the foregoing isconsidered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention.Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact construction and operation shown and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents are intended tofall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sweatband comprising an annular tubular band ofelastic mesh, said annular band having a distal surface, a proximalsurface and an interior compartment between the distal surface and theproximal surface, an absorbent terrycloth panel attached to the distalsurface of the annular band, and an absorbent foam in the interiorcompartment, said absorbent foam being in fluid communication with theannular band and the terrycloth panel.
 2. The sweatband according toclaim 1, said annular tubular band including a first edge and anopposite second edge, a fingertip pocket being formed in the first edgebetween the distal surface and the proximal surface, said pocket beingsized to receive a wearer's fingertips, when the sweatband is wornaround a wearer's palm and the wearer's fingertips are bent towards thewearer's wrist.
 3. The sweatband according to claim 1, furthercomprising a fluid filled protrusion extending outwardly from the distalsurface, said fluid filled protrusion being covered by the absorbentterrycloth panel.
 4. The sweatband according to claim 1, furthercomprising a gel filled protrusion extending outwardly from the distalsurface, said fluid filled protrusion being covered by the absorbentterrycloth panel.
 5. The sweatband according to claim 2, furthercomprising a fluid filled protrusion extending outwardly from the distalsurface, said fluid filled protrusion being covered by the absorbentterrycloth panel.
 6. The sweatband according to claim 2, furthercomprising a gel filled protrusion extending outwardly from the distalsurface, said fluid filled protrusion being covered by the absorbentterrycloth panel.